The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-01-07
oovrRnon Moo1nI.

The message of Governor McGill isone
of the ablest State papers ever presented
to the people of Minnesota, and stamps
the author as man of ability, courage
and honest convictions. IL there has
been lurking whiting the breast of any
one the idea that because Gov. McGiD
was not shouting, rafting, noisy man,
he did not possess the positive force Of
character credited TO him by those who
know HIM best, the message he delivered
before the legislature on Wednesday, and
the courageous stand he has taken upon
questions of vital importance to the State,
will certainly and forever eliminate from
within any such false measurement of
our executive.
No man in the State, probably, who
has not occupied the chair gubernatorlal,
is SO we'll qualified to step in and take
the reigns of government and perform
the duties of the Office as Mr.. McGill
With the utmost confidence in his ability
and integrity. his strongest friends aud
most intimate acquaintance had even
underestimated the real depth and worth
of the man, while his enemies are nom
plussed at the magnifcence Of his inau-
gural address and the grandeur of the
sentiments expressed.
The Governor calls attention to the
fact that on a number of subjects, viz:
the establishment of soldiers home
the adjustment of the contract prison
labor; the amendment of the railroad
laws and the establishment of a. State
bureau of labor statistics, the platforms
of the two leading political parties agree,
and he asks that the pledges made by
these parties be redeemed. He dwells
at some length upon the railroad trans
portation question, and shows conclusive
~ that he appreciates the needs of fur
Their legislation upon the matter, and
urges due attention by the lawmakers
to the demands of the agricultural inter
ests. The taxation of railroads, ques
ton that has never been properly look
ed after, is urged upon the legislature.
Gov. McGill treats also uuon the tag
alton of railroad lands, grain storage by
railroad companies, wheat grading, wa
tering stocks, passenger fares, &c, with
a precision and definiteness of convic
ton which cannot fail to impress the
members elected to the twenty-fifth leg
isiature that they have an executive
who will have no such word as "fail'
laid at his door if they give due consid
Grafton to his opinions and recommend
atoms. No single subject matter in tn,
Governors message is treated will
more earnestness and sincerit.
THAI that of high license ant
local option. 1t is very well known tina
to large extent the recent cam
paign in this State was fought upon tina
issue. The verdict has been rendered
and the sovereign power-the people
demand high license as the only reason
able means Of regulating the liquor traf
, fic. The Republican party. through it
convention representatives, declares
unqualifiedly for this measure. The Re
publican party has large majority il
the legislature, and if the servants of thu
+ people at this time fail to heed the de
mand there will be no end of trouble t
follow. There is no question of doub
but every pernicious influence will b.
brought to bear upon the legislature Il
deter it from taking action on the liquo
question looking to an advance of th'
present license, but no Republican wh'
has the good of the State at heart, wh'
courts the honor of himself and of hi
party, can evade the issue or shirk TIT
responsibility.
Every reader of The FREE Press i
urged to peruse carefully and thought
fully the words of our new Governor
for the character of Mr.. McGill can il
no other way be so well illustrated no
so COMPREHENSIVE understood.